Theatre--Peformance and Season

Cité des Arts opens its 2009 theatre season this on Thursday, March 5th with Educating Rita, the award-winning stage comedy by British playwright Willy Russell. Directed by Maureen Brennan and starring Acadiana favorites Vincent P. Barras and Erin Segura, the story follows the relationship during the course of a University semester, between Susan White, a young woman from Liverpool and working class hairdresser and Dr Frank Bryant, a middle-aged University lecturer. The play deals with England's class system, the shortcomings of institutional education, and the nature of self-development.

This show runs for three weekends opening on March 5th and closing on Saturday, March 21st. Performances are Thursday through Saturday evenings at 7:30 p.m., at Cité des Arts, 109 Vine St., downtown Lafayette, between Jefferson St. and Third St. Ticket prices are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for senior citizens (65+) and students of any age. For additional information and reservations, please call Cité des Arts at 337-291-1122.

Season Tickets are on sale for $50.00, which is a savings of $10.00 for the four shows. Besides Educating Rita, the 2009 Season is as follows:

THE MIRACLE WORKER: May 14th–-30th, 2009 (Thursday – Saturday):
The Miracle Worker, written by William Gibson, is the story of the young Helen Keller, who is blind and deaf since infancy. She is frustrated by her inability to communicate and as a result, is subject to frequent violent and uncontrollable outbursts. Unable to deal with Helen, her terrified and helpless parents contact a school for the blind and Annie Sullivan, a former student, is sent to their home to tutor the child. What ensues is a battle of wills as Annie breaks down Helen's walls of silence and darkness through persistence, love, and sheer stubbornness.

CRIMES OF THE HEART: July 9th–-25th, 2009 (Thursday – Saturday):
Crimes of the Heart is a Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Beth Henley
At the core of this tragic comedy are the three Magrath sisters, Meg, Babe, and Lenny, who reunite at Old Granddaddy's home in Hazlehurst, Mississippi after Babe shoots her abusive husband. The trio was raised in a dysfunctional family with a penchant for ugly predicaments and each has endured her share of hardship and misery. Past resentments bubble to the surface as they're forced to deal with assorted relatives and past relationships while coping with the latest incident that has disrupted their lives. Each sister is forced to face the consequences of the "crimes of the heart" she has committed.

WIT: September 10th--26th, 2009 (Thursday – Saturday):
Wit is the first play written by American playwright Margaret Edson. The play focuses on the last hours of Dr Vivian Bearing, a university professor of English, who is dying of ovarian cancer. She recalls the initial diagnosis of Stage IV metastatic ovarian cancer from her oncologist, Dr Harvey Kelekian. Dr Kelekian then proposes an experimental chemotherapeutic treatment regimen consisting of eight rounds at full dosage. Vivian agrees to the treatment. Over the course of the play, Bearing assesses her own life through the intricacies of the English language, especially the use of wit and the metaphysical poetry of John Donne.

Season Tickets are now on sale at Cité des Arts. For additional information and reservations, please call Cité des Arts at 337-291-1122.